Device managing apparatus, device managing method, and icon display control method

ABSTRACT

According to an embodiment, a device managing apparatus includes: a display unit configured to display plural icons for starting setting screens respectively corresponding to plural kinds of processing functions of a target device set as a control target; a state-information acquiring unit configured to acquire state information concerning processing states of the respective plural kinds of processing functions in the target device; a waiting-time-information predicting unit configured to predict waiting time information concerning waiting times required, when the respective processing functions are instructed to perform new jobs, until start of execution of the new jobs on the basis of the state information acquired by the state-information acquiring unit; and a waiting-time reflecting unit configured to reflect the waiting time information predicted by the waiting-time-information predicting unit on display states of the icons respectively corresponding to the plural processing functions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from:U.S. provisional application 61/232,864, filed on Aug. 11, 2009; andU.S. provisional application 61/232,951, filed on Aug. 11, 2009; theentire contents all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a technique formanaging processing functions of a control target device.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, there is known a driver application for controlling, ina PC (Personal Computer) network-connected to an MFP (Multi FunctionPeripheral), the MFP through the network.

However, in the related art, when a user desires to check an operationstate of the MFP, a reception state of a reservation job, or the like inthe PC or the like network-connected to the MFP, the user needs to startthe driver application, reach a detailed screen for state check on thedriver application, and check the state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of the configuration of an image processing systemincluding a device managing apparatus according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a block configuration in PCs 11 to 1 n;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a block configuration in an MFP 9;

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram for explaining the device managingapparatus according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of processing (a devicemanaging method) in the device managing apparatus according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a state in which a device managing program in thedevice managing apparatus is started and only an icon 7 isscreen-displayed in a display unit 806;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a display state in a state in which a mouse isput on the icon 7 or a state in which some processing is performed (isscheduled to be performed) in the MFP 9;

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining details of a method of displayingicons 701 to 708;

FIG. 9 is a diagram of an example in which the icons 701 to 708 arerotated by an angle equivalent to one icon in a V1 direction from astate shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagram of an execution situation of a print job receivedin the MFP 9 and a display example indicating how manyexecution-scheduled print jobs are present;

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a state in which a face photograph image of auser is displayed near the icon 7 as a balloon 7 c;

FIG. 12 is a diagram of mail icons 7 e 1 to 7 e 3 and a display exampleof countdown;

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of a device managing apparatusaccording to a second embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of processing in the devicemanaging apparatus according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a diagram of a state in which the user double-clicks an icon701 with a mouse pointer mp;

FIG. 16 is a screen display example immediately after the userdouble-clicks the icon 701 with the mouse pointer mp;

FIG. 17 is a diagram of a positional relation between the position ofthe icon 701 that reaches a title area T and a window 701 w to bestarted; and

FIG. 18 is a display example of the window 701 w started by a settingscreen start unit 203 on the basis of the double-click of the icon 701.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments are explained below with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

In general, according to an embodiment, a device managing apparatusincludes an icon display unit, a state-information acquiring unit, awaiting-time-information predicting unit, and a waiting-time reflectingunit.

The icon display unit causes a display unit to display, as a list,plural icons for starting setting screens respectively corresponding toplural kinds of processing functions of a target device set as a controltarget.

The state-information acquiring unit acquires state informationconcerning processing states of the respective plural kinds ofprocessing functions in the target device.

The waiting-time-information predicting unit predicts waiting timeinformation concerning waiting times required, when the respectiveprocessing functions are instructed to perform new jobs, until the startof execution of the new jobs on the basis of the state informationacquired by the state-information acquiring unit.

The waiting-time reflecting unit reflects the waiting time informationpredicted by the waiting-time-information predicting unit on displaystates of the icons respectively corresponding to the plural processingfunctions.

First Embodiment

First, a first embodiment of the present invention is explained.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of the configuration of an image processing systemincluding a device managing apparatus according to the first embodiment.FIG. 2 is a diagram of a block configuration in PCs 11 to 1 n. FIG. 3 isa diagram of a block configuration in an MFP 9.

The image processing system according to the first embodiment includes,for example, n PCs 11 to 1 n (n is an integer equal to or larger than 2)as device managing apparatuses and the MFP 9 as a management targetdevice.

The PCs 11 to 1 n and the MFP 9 are connected to be capable ofcommunicating with each other via a network line such as a LAN (LocalArea Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network).

Each of the PCs 11 to in includes, for example, a processor 801, an ASIC(Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 802, a memory 803, an HDD(Hard Disk Drive) 804, an operation input unit 805, and a display unit806. In each of the PCs 11 to in, a driver application (a devicemanaging program, etc.) for realizing a print instruction, a scaninstruction and a facsimile transmission instruction to the MFP 9, graspof an operation state of the MFP 9, and the like through a network isinstalled.

The MFP 9 includes, for example, a processor 901, an ASIC (ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuit) 902, a memory 903, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive)904, an operation input unit 905, a display unit 906, and a CCD camera907.

The CCD camera 907 automatically picks up an image of a user presentnear the MFP 9 on the basis of, for example, authentication processing(login processing) for the user or operation on the operation input unit905.

The MFP 9 can execute, as plural kinds of processing functions,according to instructions from the PCs 11 to 1 n, document bindprocessing (bind) for arbitrarily additionally editing, in documentunits or page units, documents stored in a storage area such as the HDD904 of the MFP 9, group message display processing (message) forexchanging information on a real time basis when work for creating onedocument is divided in a group set in advance, remote facsimiletransmission processing (facsimile) for remotely performing operationsetting for facsimile or the like, remote copy processing (copy) forremotely performing operation setting for copying or the like, remotescan processing (scan) for remotely performing operation setting forscan or the like, history display processing (history) for displaying aprocessing history (log information) of print processing executed in theMFP 9, network view display processing (network) for displaying a treeview of a network, and box view processing (box) for displaying, as aview, data (image data, etc.) stored in a “box (a predetermined storagearea realized by the HDD 904 or the like)” in the MFP 9.

The operation input unit 805 and the operation input unit 905 includedin the apparatuses can include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, atouch panel, a touch pad, a graphics tablet, or a dedicated button.

The display unit 806 and the display unit 906 can include, for example,an electronic paper, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an EL (ElectronicLuminescence), a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), or a CRT (Cathode RayTube).

The functions of the display units and the operation input units canalso be realized by a so-called touch panel display.

In this embodiment, the processor 801 and the processor 901 have a roleof performing various kinds of processing in the image processingsystem. The processor 801 and the processor 901 also have a role ofrealizing various functions by executing computer programs stored in thememory 803, the memory 903, the HDD 804, the HDD 904, and the like. Itgoes without saying that the processor 801 and the processor 901 canalso be realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (MicroProcessing Unit) that can execute equivalent arithmetic processing.Similarly, the HDD 804 and the HDD 904 can be substituted by a storagedevice such as a flash memory.

The memory 803 and the memory 903 can include, for example, a RAM(Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a DRAM (Dynamic RandomAccess Memory), an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), a VRAM (VideoRAN), or a flash memory. The memory 803 and the memory 903 have a roleof storing various kinds of information and computer programs used inthe image processing system.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram for explaining the device managingapparatus according to the first embodiment.

The device managing apparatus according to the first embodimentincludes, for example, an icon display unit 101, a state-informationacquiring unit 102, a waiting-time-information predicting unit 103, awaiting-time reflecting unit 104, an authentication processing unit 105,and a setting-function determining unit 106.

The icon display unit 101 annularly arrays, around an icon 7corresponding to the MFP 9, plural icons 701 to 708 for starting settingscreens respectively corresponding to plural kinds of processingfunctions of the MFP 9 set as a control target (a target device) andcauses the display unit 806 to display the icons 701 to 708 as a list.The icon display unit 101 starts, for example, a computer program forexecuting a desktop accessory for controlling the MFP 9 to thereby causethe display unit 806 to display a group of the icons.

Setting screens started from the icons 701 to 708 are setting screensfor functions that can be remotely executed in the MFP 9. The icon 701corresponds to document bind setting, the icon 702 corresponds to boxview display, the icon 703 corresponds to network view display, the icon704 corresponds to printing history display, the icon 705 corresponds toremote scan setting, the icon 706 corresponds to remote copy setting,the icon 707 corresponds to remote facsimile setting, and the icon 708corresponds to group message display.

A desktop accessory for starting a PC application for remote-controllingor remote-monitoring the processing functions of the MFP 9 includes theicon 7 and the icons 701 to 708. An icon group as the desktop accessoryhas functions for displaying, as a list, operation states of all theprocessing functions of the MFP 9 and starting setting screens forremote-controlling the MFP 9.

The icon display unit 101 causes the display unit 806 to display theicons 701 to 708, for example, when the icon 7 is clicked or when aprocessing function for printing, data transmission, or the like isrunning in the MFP 9.

The state-information acquiring unit 102 acquires, on a real time basis,“state information” concerning processing states of the respectiveplural kinds of processing functions in the MFP 9 from the MFP 9. Forexample, the state-information acquiring unit 102 performs check ofpresence or absence of a new event in the MFP 9 at every ten seconds. Itgoes without saying that an acquisition source of the “stateinformation” is not limited to the MFP 9. For example, it is alsopossible to centrally manage, in the PC 1 n or the like, an operationstate of an MFP connected to a LAN, setting content of a job beingexecuted, and the like and acquire a part of the “state information” orthe entire “state information” from a device other than the MFP 9 suchas the PC 1 n.

The state-information acquiring unit 102 acquires, as the “stateinformation”, at least any one of (1) presence or absence of functionexecution, (2) setting content of a job being executed, (3) a processingamount (a type of processing, the number of sheets to be processed, aprocessed data amount, etc.) of the job being executed, (4) settingcontent of a job scheduled to be executed, and (5) presence or absenceof setting operation in the respective plural kinds of processingfunctions.

The waiting-time-information predicting unit 103 predicts waiting timeinformation concerning “waiting times required, when the respectiveprocessing functions are instructed to perform new jobs, until the startof execution of the new jobs” on the basis of the “state information”acquired by the state-information acquiring unit 102.

For example, a data table is formed in which processing amounts andsetting contents of the respective processing functions and predictedwaiting times are associated with each other. The prediction of waitingtimes can be calculated by using the data table. The data table can bestored in, for example, the HDD 804.

Examples of the “waiting time information” include the remaining numberof sheets to be printed, remaining printing time [second], and theremaining number of kinds of processing [the number of jobs].

The waiting-time reflecting unit 104 reflects the “waiting timeinformation” predicted by the waiting-time-information predicting unit103 on display states of the icons respectively corresponding to theplural processing functions.

The waiting-time reflecting unit 104 causes the display unit 806 toperform screen display such that an icon corresponding to a processingfunction having longer waiting time indicated by the waiting timeinformation predicted by the waiting-time-information predicting unit103 is more highlighted than the other icons.

The waiting-time reflecting unit 104 causes the display unit 806 toexecute, for the icon corresponding to the processing function havingthe longer waiting time indicated by the “waiting time information”, atleast any one of (1) a reduction in a time interval of blinking, (2) anincrease in the size (e.g., the height) of the icon, (3) an increase inchroma, (4) an increase in brightness, (5) an increase in linethickness, and (6) an increase in the size of a font.

The authentication processing unit 105 performs authenticationprocessing (so-called face recognition processing) for a user on thebasis of image data acquired by the state-information acquiring unit102.

The setting-function determining unit 106 determines, on the basis ofcontent of operation input to the operation input unit 805, for which ofthe plural kinds of processing functions the user is executing settingoperation.

The state-information acquiring unit 102 acquires image data obtained bypicking up an image of the user with the CCD camera 907 (an imagingunit). The waiting-time reflecting unit 104 causes the display unit 806to screen-display a camera image based on the image data acquired by thestate-information acquiring unit 102.

The waiting-time reflecting unit 104 can also perform reflection on adisplay state of the “waiting time information” concerning only an iconcorresponding to a processing function that affects waiting time untilexecution of a processing function for which setting operation isdetermined by the setting-function determining unit 106 as beingexecuted.

Processing functions and other functions that affect waiting times untilexecution of the processing functions are stored in, for example, theHDD 804 as a data table.

Consequently, only a congestion situation or the like of a processingfunction that affects execution of a processing function for whichsetting work is currently performed (e.g., a processing function highlylikely to be continuously set) is displayed as a state. It is possibleto perform grasp of a situation efficient for the user.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of processing (a devicemanaging method) in the device managing apparatus according to the firstembodiment.

The icon display unit 101 annularly arrays, around the icon 7corresponding to the MFP 9, the plural icons 701 to 708 for startingsetting screens respectively corresponding to the plural kinds ofprocessing functions of the MFP 9 set as a control target (a targetdevice) and causes the display unit 806 to display the icons 701 to 708as a list (Act 101).

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a state in which the device managing program inthe device managing apparatus is started and only the icon 7 isscreen-displayed on the display unit 806. FIG. 7 is a diagram of adisplay state in a state in which the mouse is placed on the icon 7 or astate in which some processing is performed (is scheduled to beperformed) in the MFP 9. FIG. 8 is a diagram of details of a method ofdisplaying the icons 701 to 708.

As it is seen from FIG. 7, the icons 701 to 708 are annularly arrayed tosurround around the icon 7 indicating an MFP main body. The icon displayunit 101 performs, making use of the perspective, icon display suchthat, among the annularly-arrayed icon group, an icon located on thefront side is large (height hf) and an icon located on the inner side issmall (height hr<height hf).

The annularly-displayed icons 701 to 708 can be rotated in a V1direction or a V2 direction by operation in a state in which the iconsare dragged by the mouse, rotating operation of a mouse wheel, or thelike. FIG. 9 is a diagram of an example in which the icons 701 to 708are rotated by an angle equivalent to one icon in the V1 direction froma state shown in FIG. 8. It is assumed that an icon located on the mostfront side is a currently-selected icon.

The state-information acquiring unit 102 acquires “state information”concerning processing states of the plural kinds of processing functionsin the MFP 9 (ACT 102).

The waiting-time-information predicting unit 103 predicts waiting timeinformation concerning “waiting times required, when the respectiveprocessing functions are instructed to perform new jobs, until the startof execution of the new jobs” on the basis of the “state information”acquired by the state-information acquiring unit 102 (ACT 103).

The setting-function determining unit 106 determines for which of theplural kinds of processing functions the user is executing settingoperation (ACT 104).

The waiting-time reflecting unit 104 reflects the “waiting timeinformation” predicted by the waiting-time-information predicting unit103 on display states of the icons corresponding to the respectiveplural processing functions (ACT 105).

The waiting-time reflecting unit 104 performs, in association with theicon 7 and the icons 701 to 708, display of, for example, an operationstate (printing, transmitting, scanning, receiving, etc.) of the MFP 9,a setting state (display of a reservation state or a setting state) ofthe MFP 9, an ID or a camera image of a user logging in to the MFP 9currently set as a control target, a countdown state of the remainingnumber of sheets to be printed, and group work message incomingnotification.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a state in which the waiting-time reflectingunit 104 displays an execution situation of a print job received by theMFP 9 (96 sheets are being printed) and how many print jobs are to beexecuted (three). In an example shown in FIG. 10, only the icon 706corresponding to the copy processing is blinking (highlighted) and theother icons are not blinking. Consequently, the user can easily graspcurrent and future processing congestion situations of the MFP 9 and seta result of the grasp as a determination reference for determiningwhether the user issues a print instruction or the like to the MFP 9.

The waiting-time reflecting unit 104 can perform reflection of the“waiting time information” on a display state concerning only an iconcorresponding to a processing function that affects waiting time untilexecution of a processing function for which setting operation isdetermined by the setting-function determining unit 106 as beingexecuted.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a state in which a face photograph image of auser automatically picked up by the CCD camera 907 included in the MFP 9is displayed near the icon 7 as a balloon 7 c. Since the user of the MFP9 can grasp what kind of user is present near a control target device inthis way, in some case, it is possible to predict, for example, to whichdegree the MFP 9 is likely to be occupied. When it is known that theuser is attempting to urgently perform work, the user of the MFP 9 candelay timing for issuing a print instruction. Since the user of the MFP9 can grasp who is instructing or scheduled to instruct the MFP 9 toperform processing other than the user in this way, the user can grasp asituation of use of the MFP 9 conforming to an actual situationincluding prediction based on an average use time or the like of otherusers.

There is also an effect that, by displaying a face image, an ID, a name,and the like together, it is possible to check presence or absence ofillegal use of login or the like due to “masquerade” in the MFP 9through the network.

FIG. 12 is an example of mail icons 7 e 1 to 7 e 3 indicating how manyreceived messages are present and a countdown display indicating howmany sheets are to be printed to complete print processing currentlyperformed in the MFP 9. The mail icons 7 e 1 and 7 e 3 and the countdowndisplay are displayed near the icon 7.

The operations in the processing in the device managing apparatusexplained above are realized by causing the processor 801 to execute thedevice managing program stored in the memory 802.

The functions of the device managing apparatus are not always limited tothe realization by the PC. Instead, the functions may be realized by aserver connected to the network or other MFPs. The icons 701 to 708 arenot limited to the annularly-arrayed configuration. For example, theicons 701 to 708 may be arrayed along a contour of a polygon such as arectangle or a triangle or along a straight line or a curved line.

If the icons 701 to 708 are linearly arrayed, the icons may move in adirection orthogonal to a direction of the linear array when the iconsare selected. If the icons 701 to 708 are linearly arrayed, an iconcloser to the center may be displayed in larger size.

In this way, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to grasp,according to display states of the functional icons 701 to 708,operation states of all processing functions of a control target deviceon a real time basis without starting detailed screens of a printerdriver or the like.

It is possible to start, simply by performing selection of the icons 701to 708 always displayed as a list without executing another application,the setting screens for performing setting for the respective processingfunctions of the MFP 9 set as a control target. This can contribute to areduction in burdens of operability.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment is explained below.

The second embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment.Components having functions same as those of the components explained inthe first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals andsigns and explanation of the components is omitted.

In the past, in general, when an application is started in a PC, forexample, after a user clicks an icon on a desktop, a startup screen isdisplayed and a desired application is started.

There is also known a configuration in which, when the user clicks anicon arranged on the desktop, after the icon bounds several times, thestartup screen is displayed and an application screen is started.

However, the icon for starting the application and the startedapplication screen are separate elements. Therefore, the icon and theapplication screen can be associated only by using the same design orname for the icon and the application screen.

When it takes time until the application screen is started after theuser clicks the icon, no information associating the icon and theapplication screen is displayed in this waiting time. In some case,thinking of the user is interrupted and the user forgets what the userstarted.

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of a device managing apparatusaccording to the second embodiment.

The device managing apparatus according to the second embodimentincludes a selection detecting unit 201, a moving-locus display unit202, and a setting-screen starting unit 203. In the same manner as thedevice managing apparatus according to the first embodiment, functionsof the device managing apparatus according to the second embodiment canbe realized by executing, with the CPU 801, the device managing programstored in the memory 803.

The selection detecting unit 201 detects selection of an icon forstarting a setting screen corresponding to a processing function of theMFP 9. Specifically, the selection detecting unit 201 detects, on thebasis of an operation input (e.g., double-click of the mouse) to theoperation input unit 805, which icon among the icons 701 to 708 isselected.

If the selection of the icon is detected by the selection detecting unit201, the moving-locus display unit 202 causes the display unit 806 todisplay, while showing a moving locus, the “selected icon”, theselection of which is detected by the selection detecting unit 201, tomove from a position at the time of the selection of the selected iconto a position of a title area where a title of a setting screen of aprocessing function corresponding to the “selected icon” is shown.

The moving-locus display unit 202 can also change, according to a typeof the “selected icon”, the selection of which is detected by theselection detecting unit 201, at least any one of (1) a time interval ofblinking, (2) a shape, (3) a color, (4) brightness, (5) the thickness ofa line, and (6) the size of a font of the “selected icon” compared withthat before the movement.

The setting-screen starting unit 203 starts the setting screen of theprocessing function corresponding to the “selected icon”, the selectionof which is detected by the selection detecting unit 201.

When the setting screen started by the setting-screen starting unit 203includes plural windows, the moving-locus display unit 202 causes thedisplay unit 806 to display, while showing a moving locus, the “selectedicon” to move to a position of a title area where a title of a windowset in advance as a window having highest relation (a predeterminedrelation) with the processing function among the plural windowscorresponding to the processing function is shown.

Positions (e.g., coordinates) of title areas are set in advanceaccording to the respective icons 701 to 708. The positions of the titleareas and the icons 701 to 708 are stored in, for example, the memory803 or the HDD 804 as a data table in which the positions and the iconsare associated with each other.

The moving-locus display unit 202 causes the display unit 806 todisplay, while keeping a display form at the time of the selection (atan instant of the selection) of the selected icon and showing a movinglocus, the “selected icon”, the selection of which is detected by theselection detecting unit 201, to move from the position at the time ofthe selection of the selected icon to the position of the title areawhere the title of the setting screen of the processing functioncorresponding to the selected icon is shown.

The moving-locus display unit 202 changes (e.g., shines), according to atype of the “selected icon”, selection of which is detected by theselection detecting unit 201, a display state of the “selected icon”moving from the position at the time of the selection of the “selectedicon” to the position of the title area where the title of the settingscreen of the processing function corresponding to the “selected icon”is shown.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of processing (a devicemanaging method) in the device managing apparatus according to thesecond embodiment.

The selection detecting unit 201 detects selection of an icon forstarting a setting screen corresponding to a processing function of theMFP 9 (ACT 201).

FIG. 15 is a diagram of a state in which the user double-clicks the icon701 with the mouse pointer mp.

If selection of, for example, the icon 701 is detected by the selectiondetecting unit 201, the moving-locus display unit 202 causes the displayunit 806 to display, while showing a moving locus L, the “selected icon”701, the selection of which is detected by the selection detecting unit201, to move from a position at the time of the selection of the“selected icon” 701 to a position of a title area T where a title of asetting screen of a processing function corresponding to the “selectedicon” 701 is shown (ACT 202).

FIG. 16 is a screen display example immediately after the userdouble-clicks the icon 701 with the mouse pointer mp.

FIG. 17 is a diagram of a positional relation between the position ofthe icon 701 that reaches the title area T and a window 701 w to bestarted by the double-click of the icon 701.

The setting-screen starting unit 203 starts the setting screen of theprocessing function corresponding to the “selected icon”, the selectionof which is detected by the selection detecting unit 201 (ACT 203).

FIG. 18 is a display example of the window 701 w started by thesetting-screen starting unit 203 on the basis of the double-click of theicon 701. When the window 701 w is displayed, the window 701 w isdisplayed more in the front than the icon 7.

In general, in the title area T, a title indicating what the window islike (e.g., an application name, a service name, or a file name) isoften displayed. Therefore, since the double-clicked icon finally movesto the title area while showing the locus to the title area, it ispossible to naturally lead the line of sight of the user from the iconto the window. The user can easily grasp what kind of setting screen theicon selected by the user relates to.

A computer program for causing a computer included in the devicemanaging apparatus to execute the operations explained above can beprovided as a device managing program. In the example explained in thisembodiment, the computer program for realizing a function for carryingout the present invention is recorded in advance in a storage areaprovided in the apparatus. However, the present invention is not limitedto this. The same computer program may be downloaded from the network tothe apparatus. The same computer program stored in a computer-readablerecording medium may be installed in the apparatus. A form of therecording medium may be any form as long as the recording medium canstore the computer program and is computer-readable. Specifically,examples of the recording medium include internal storage devicesimplemented in the inside of the computer such as a ROM and a RAM,portable storage media such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a DVD disk, amagneto-optical disk, and an IC card, a database that stores a computerprogram, other computers and databases for the computers, and atransmission medium on a line. A function obtained by installation ordownload in advance in this way may be realized in cooperation with anOS (operating system) in the apparatus.

The computer program may be an execution module that is dynamicallygenerated partially or entirely.

It goes without saying that it is possible to cause the ASIC 802 toexecute, in terms of a circuit, at least a part of various kinds ofprocessing realized by causing a processor to execute the computerprogram in the embodiments explained above.

As explained above in detail, according to the technique described inthis specification, it is possible to provide a technique for managingprocessing functions of a control target device.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of invention. Indeed, the novel apparatus and methods describedherein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the apparatus andmethods described herein may be made without departing from the spiritof the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents areintended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within thescope and spirit of the inventions.

1. A device managing apparatus comprising: a display unit configured todisplay plural icons for starting setting screens respectivelycorresponding to plural kinds of processing functions of a target deviceset as a control target; a state-information acquiring unit configuredto acquire state information concerning processing states of therespective plural kinds of processing functions in the target device; awaiting-time-information predicting unit configured to predict waitingtime information concerning waiting times required, when the respectiveprocessing functions are instructed to perform new jobs, until start ofexecution of the new jobs on the basis of the state information acquiredby the state-information acquiring unit; and a waiting-time reflectingunit configured to reflect the waiting time information predicted by thewaiting-time-information predicting unit on display states of the iconsrespectively corresponding to the plural processing functions.
 2. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the waiting-time reflecting unitcauses the display unit to display an icon corresponding to a processingfunction having longer waiting time indicated by the waiting timeinformation predicted by the waiting-time-information predicting unit tobe more highlighted than the other icons.
 3. The apparatus according toclaim 2, wherein the waiting-time reflecting unit causes the displayunit to execute, for the icon corresponding to the processing functionhaving the longer processing time indicated by the waiting timeinformation, at least any one of a reduction in a time interval ofblinking, an increase in size of the icon, an increase in chroma, anincrease in brightness, an increase in line thickness, and an increasein size of a font.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thestate-information acquiring unit acquires presence or absence offunction execution, setting content of a job being executed, aprocessing amount of the job being executed, setting content of a jobscheduled to be executed, and presence or absence of setting operationin the respective plural kinds of processing functions.
 5. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the target device includes an imaging unitconfigured to pickup an image of a user present near the target device,the state-information acquiring unit acquires image data obtained bypicking up an image of the user with the imaging unit, and thewaiting-time reflecting unit causes the display unit to display an imagebased on the image data acquired by the state-information acquiringunit.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising anauthentication processing unit configured to perform authenticationprocessing for the user on the basis of the image data acquired by thestate-information acquiring unit.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising a setting-function determining unit configured todetermine for which of the plural kinds of processing functions the useris executing setting operation, wherein the waiting-time reflecting unitperforms reflection on a display state of the waiting time informationconcerning only an icon corresponding to a processing function thataffects waiting time until execution of a processing function for whichsetting operation is determined by the setting-function determining unitas being executed.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theicon display unit annularly arrays, around an icon corresponding to thetarget device, the plural icons and causes the display unit to displaythe icons.
 9. A device managing method comprising: causing a displayunit to display plural icons for starting setting screens respectivelycorresponding to plural kinds of processing functions of a target deviceset as a control target; acquiring state information concerningprocessing states of the respective plural kinds of processing functionsin the target device; predicting waiting time information concerningwaiting times required, when the respective processing functions areinstructed to perform new jobs, until start of execution of the new jobson the basis of the acquired state information; and reflecting thepredicted waiting time information on display states of the iconsrespectively corresponding to the plural processing functions.
 10. Themethod according to claim 9, further comprising causing the display unitto display an icon corresponding to a processing function having longerwaiting time indicated by the predicted waiting time information to bemore highlighted than the other icons.
 11. The method according to claim10, further comprising causing the display unit to execute, for the iconcorresponding to the processing function having the longer waiting timeindicated by the waiting time information, at least any one of areduction in a time interval of blinking, an increase in size of theicon, an increase in chroma, an increase in brightness, an increase inline thickness, and an increase in size of a font.
 12. The methodaccording to claim 9, wherein the state-information acquiring unitacquires presence or absence of function execution, setting content of ajob being executed, a processing amount of the job being executed,setting content of a job scheduled to be executed, and presence orabsence of setting operation in the respective plural kinds ofprocessing functions as the state information.
 13. The method accordingto claim 9, wherein the target device includes an imaging unitconfigured to pickup an image of a user present near the target device,and the method further comprises: acquiring image data obtained bypicking up an image of the user with the imaging unit; and causing thedisplay unit to display an image based on the acquired image data. 14.The method according to claim 13, further comprising performingauthentication processing for the user on the basis of the acquiredimage data.
 15. The method according to claim 9, further comprising:determining for which of the plural kinds of processing functions theuser is executing setting operation; and performing reflection on adisplay state of the waiting time information concerning only an iconcorresponding to a processing function that affects waiting time untilexecution of a processing function for which setting operation isdetermined as being executed.
 16. A device managing apparatuscomprising: a selection detecting unit configured to detect selection ofan icon for starting a setting screen corresponding to a processingfunction of a target device set as a control target; a display unitconfigured to display, when the selection of the icon is detected by theselection detecting unit, while showing a moving locus, the selectedicon, the selection of which is detected by the selection detectingunit, to move from a position at time of the selection of the selectedicon to a position of a title area where a title of a setting screen ofa processing function corresponding to the selected icon is shown; and asetting-screen starting unit configured to start the setting screen ofthe processing function corresponding to the selected icon.
 17. Theapparatus according to claim 16, wherein the setting screen started bythe setting-screen starting unit includes plural windows, and thedisplay unit displays, while showing a moving locus, the selected iconto move to a position of a title area where a title of a window having apredetermined relation with the processing function among the pluralwindows corresponding to the processing function is shown.
 18. Theapparatus according to claim 16, wherein the display unit displays,while keeping a display form at time of the selection of the selectedicon and showing a moving locus, the selected icon to move from theposition at the time of the selection of the selected icon to theposition of the title area where the title of the setting screen of theprocessing function corresponding to the selected icon is shown.
 19. Theapparatus according to claim 16, wherein the display unit changes,according to a type of the selected icon, a display state of theselected icon moving from the position at the time of the selection ofthe selected icon to the position of the title area where the title ofthe setting screen of the processing function corresponding to theselected icon is shown.
 20. The apparatus according to claim 19, whereinthe display unit changes, according to a type of the selected icon, atleast any one of a time interval of blinking, a shape, a color,brightness, thickness of a line, and size of a font of the selectedicon.
 21. An icon display controlling method comprising: detectingselection of an icon for starting a setting screen corresponding to aprocessing function of a target device set as a control target; causing,when the selection of the icon is detected, a display unit to display,while showing a moving locus, the selected icon, the selection of whichis detected, to move from a position at time of the selection of theselected icon to a position of a title area where a title of a settingscreen of a processing function corresponding to the selected icon isshown; and starting the setting screen of the processing functioncorresponding to the selected icon.
 22. The method according to claim21, wherein the setting screen to be started includes plural windows,and the method further comprising causing the display unit to display,while showing a moving locus, the selected icon to move to a position ofa title area where a title of a window having a predetermined relationwith the processing function among the plural windows corresponding tothe processing function is shown.
 23. The method according to claim 21,further comprising causing the display unit to display, while keeping adisplay form at time of the selection of the selected icon and showing amoving locus, the selected icon to move from the position at the time ofthe selection of the selected icon to the position of the title areawhere the title of the setting screen of the processing functioncorresponding to the selected icon is shown.
 24. The method according toclaim 21, further comprising changing, according to a type of theselected icon, a display state of the selected icon moving from theposition at the time of the selection of the selected icon to theposition of the title area where the title of the setting screen of theprocessing function corresponding to the selected icon is shown.
 25. Themethod according to claim 24, further comprising changing, according toa type of the selected icon, at least any one of a time interval ofblinking, a shape, a color, brightness, thickness of a line, and size ofa font of the selected icon.